News and Media Releases

Thailand’s brightest young engineers coach Alex Rendell to be a smarter driver

23/01/2014

Bangkok, 21 January 2014: Teams of engineering students competing in Shell Eco-marathon Asia will share their fuel efficiency skills with well-known actor, Alex Rendell on 21-22 January 2014 as he embarks on a challenge to drive the furthest using as little Shell FuelSave Gasohol 95 as possible.

Shell Eco-marathon is an annual competition challenging student teams from around the world to compete in ultra energy efficient vehicles they have themselves designed and built. From 6-9 February 2014, more than 100 student teams from 16 countries, including 11 teams from Thailand, will participate in the Asian leg, which is set to take place for the first time on the streets of Manila, the Philippines. Driving their futuristic vehicles, teams will be competing to travel the furthest using the least amount of energy. In his driving challenge, Alex Rendell will demonstrate how using the right fuel and driving more efficiently can help to manage motoring costs and improve the fuel economy of road cars today.

Mr. Grant McGregor, Executive Director-Retail Business of the Shell Companies of Thailand says: “We’re delighted to have Alex Rendell representing Thailand. Shell is committed to finding innovative solutions to meet the energy challenge and to supporting the next generation of car designers and engineers through initiatives such as Shell Eco-marathon. We’re also providing products such as Shell FuelSave Regular priced fuels as well as advice to help people use less energy today.”

Speaking before the challenge Alex Rendell said: “I’m really excited to be taking on this challenge and looking forward to being coached and inspired by our country’s brightest engineering talent. I hope I can show Thai drivers it’s easy to become more fuel efficient by choosing the right fuel and making a few small changes to the way they drive.”

Alex Rendell will join three other famous faces from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore on 7 February 2014 at Shell Eco-marathon Asia. The celebrities will compete in a challenge that will see them put Shell FuelSave fuels and their new-found fuel efficiency skills to the test to see which celebrity can go the furthest in an ultra energy efficient vehicle designed by the students.

To find out more about Shell Eco-marathon and discover simple tips to help manage motoring costs, please visit www.shell.com/ecomarathon.

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For more information, images and interviews please contact:

Maetavarin Maneekulpan/ Kannika Butphrom

Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co., Ltd

Tel. 02-260 5820 ext.115 or 114 Fax 02-260 5847 – 8

E-mail: mae@tqpr.com, pui@tqpr.com

About Shell FuelSave fuels

Shell FuelSave Gasohol 95/91 and Shell FuelSave Diesel are our Regular priced fuels designed to last longer. Currently available in 20 countries, they contain active efficiency ingredients and are designed to improve engine efficiency from the very first tank.

Shell has more than 100 years’ experience in creating some of the world’s most advanced fuels. We are also committed to equipping motorists with the skills needed to be more fuel efficient. In 2012, we launched the Target One Million campaign to help one million drivers around the world learn how to make their fuel last longer and have now helped more than 400,000 motorists worldwide to become more fuel efficient. Visit www.shell.co.th to find out more.

About Shell Eco-marathon

Shell Eco-marathon began in 1939 at a Shell research laboratory in the United States as a friendly wager between scientists to see who could get the most miles per gallon from their vehicle. The winner of that contest barely achieved 50 mpg (21 km/l) and from these humble origins a more organised competition evolved. In 1985 in France, Shell Eco-marathon as we know it today was born.

In 2007, the Shell Eco-marathon Americas event was launched in the United States. In 2010, the inaugural Shell Eco-marathon Asia was held in Malaysia, where the event was hosted until 2013. In 2014, Shell Eco-marathon Asia will be held in Manila, the Philippines, where the event will be hosted until 2016.